West Alabama beats Stillman in baseball

Combined reports

Published: Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 11:46 p.m.

LIVINGSTON | Four West Alabama pitchers combined to give up only four hits against Stillman in a 2-1 victory Wednesday at Tartt Field. Zach Parks (2-2) started the first five innings and allowed three hits to pick up the win. Brett Ivey closed the game giving up only one hit and recording his first save of the season.

“Parks had five solid innings for us on the mound.” UWA coach Gary Rundles said.

“The only run they had was off of an error. (Luke) Macdonald and (Logan) Colvin both did their job, and (Brett) Ivey did an excellent job picking off their runner in the last game. He always does a great job of holding runners and picking them off when he gets the chance.”

“We looked a little flat through the first few innings, but then we came alive and played our best defense of the year. I thought Joel Murphy did a great job for us at shortstop. He made several plays look easy.”

West Alabama (16-15) has a four-game win streak. Stillman is 12-13.

Macdonald and Colvin did not allow any hits against a combined nine batters. Stillman’s Tyler Vails (2-5) entered in the third inning and gave up two runs to record the loss.

Ivey entered in the top of the ninth inning and gave up one hit in his first save.

Gulf South Conference Player of the Week Matthew Magee hit a sacrifice fly that drove in the tying run in the fourth inning. Magee ended 1-for-3 at the plate to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. Brett Langham led the Tigers at the plate with two hits in four at bats. Jack Cockrum and Joel Murphy recorded the UWA runs. Dustin Dunn scored the only Stillman run in the top of the second inning.

West Alabama returns to Gulf South play at No. 1 Delta State in a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader at 3 p.m. Friday.

“We are looking forward to playing Delta State,” Rundles said. “Today was about preparing for them. We have an opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the nation. If we can go in and make some things happen to get a win then we can really make a name for ourselves, and that’s what we hope to do.”

<p>LIVINGSTON | Four West Alabama pitchers combined to give up only four hits against Stillman in a 2-1 victory Wednesday at Tartt Field. Zach Parks (2-2) started the first five innings and allowed three hits to pick up the win. Brett Ivey closed the game giving up only one hit and recording his first save of the season. </p><p>“Parks had five solid innings for us on the mound.” UWA coach Gary Rundles said.</p><p>“The only run they had was off of an error. (Luke) Macdonald and (Logan) Colvin both did their job, and (Brett) Ivey did an excellent job picking off their runner in the last game. He always does a great job of holding runners and picking them off when he gets the chance.”</p><p>“We looked a little flat through the first few innings, but then we came alive and played our best defense of the year. I thought Joel Murphy did a great job for us at shortstop. He made several plays look easy.”</p><p>West Alabama (16-15) has a four-game win streak. Stillman is 12-13.</p><p>Macdonald and Colvin did not allow any hits against a combined nine batters. Stillman's Tyler Vails (2-5) entered in the third inning and gave up two runs to record the loss.</p><p>Ivey entered in the top of the ninth inning and gave up one hit in his first save.</p><p>Gulf South Conference Player of the Week Matthew Magee hit a sacrifice fly that drove in the tying run in the fourth inning. Magee ended 1-for-3 at the plate to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. Brett Langham led the Tigers at the plate with two hits in four at bats. Jack Cockrum and Joel Murphy recorded the UWA runs. Dustin Dunn scored the only Stillman run in the top of the second inning. </p><p>West Alabama returns to Gulf South play at No. 1 Delta State in a three-game series beginning with a doubleheader at 3 p.m. Friday.</p><p>“We are looking forward to playing Delta State,” Rundles said. “Today was about preparing for them. We have an opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the nation. If we can go in and make some things happen to get a win then we can really make a name for ourselves, and that's what we hope to do.”</p>